A mother conned the benefits agency out of more than £15,000 by pretending her husband did not exist.
Shona Fletcher blamed her "feckless" husband after she was caught out by pictures of her happy marriage being posted on Facebook.
Fletcher narrowly escaped being sent to jail at Dundee Sheriff Court on Friday after she admitted failing to reveal she was living with her husband.
The 39-year-old was claiming housing benefit from Dundee City Council but was reported by neighbours who saw her living as a couple with husband David Fletcher.
They were seen maintaining a household on Scrimgeour Place and neighbours handed over evidence of Facebook photos and interactions between the couple.
Fletcher pled guilty to claiming £15,881.88 benefits to which she was not entitled by failing to declare that she was living with her husband.
Fiscal depute Lora Apostolova revealed how Mr Fletcher's correspondence address on Companies House was the same as his wife's.
She told the court: "The accused claimed housing benefit.
"The charge is that the accused's husband had been maintaining a common household for most of the period of the claim.
"Evidence from two neighbours speak to them living as a family at the address, from Facebook photos and interacting on social media as a couple.
"David Fletcher's business premises gave its address as the address in the charge, as well as loan applications.
"The accused states that she was aware that she had to advise of any changes.
"She accepts receiving leaflets advising of this."
The court was told how Fletcher originally denied in an interview she was maintaining a household with her husband.
Fletcher, of Scrimgeour Place, pled guilty to failing to give Dundee City Council prompt notification of a change in circumstances that affected her entitlement to housing benefit.
The offence was committed between 1 April 2016 and 9 November 2017 at the address and at the Wellgate Jobcentre.
Solicitor Jim Laverty, defending, told the court: "It is one of those situations where the female in the relationship is effectively left holding the ball.
"The male in the relationship could only politely be described as feckless.
"She really didn't know where she stood as far as the relationship was concerned.
"She described it as unstable and inconsistent. He would take himself off for days and weeks at a time.
"It is to my chagrin the female is left with the criminal conviction."
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael placed Fletcher under supervision for 15 months and imposed a 7pm to 7am curfew for a period of 12 weeks.
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